Wednesday, November 23

‘Significant’ rain possible next week, forecasters say; 8,400 acres in state burned in November so far

Local firefighters responded to at least four brush fires on Tuesday, after months of nearly no rainfall and record drought continued to spark wildfires across Alabama.

Meanwhile, the state could see the first significant rain showers early next week, according to forecasters.

[...]

That rain is sorely needed. Firefighters have battled 706 wildfires statewide since Nov. 1, with more than 8,400 acres burned. In Calhoun County during that time 14 wildfires burned 161 acres, according to information Tuesday from the Alabama Forestry Commission.

Statewide, 13 wildfires were reported active, 24 contained and 12 controlled on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Forestry Commission.

While some areas of Alabama saw a sprinkling of rain this past week, severe drought continues to torment the vast majority of the state.

With well over a month without rain, coupled with record-breaking heat, federal statistics released this week show nearly 90 percent of the state is now in a severe drought, and 65 percent of the state is in an extreme or exceptional drought.

Even as seasonal cold fronts begin to arrive, there appears to be no relief in sight.

"What Julia Child did for French cooking, Pundita is doing for foreign policy discussion. She's opened a haute pursuit to ordinary people." - Caesar Rodriguez

"Few bloggers think as deeply as Pundita does. And few have her foresight." - Uppity Woman

"There is no other blogger like Pundita. She has carved a niche - part history and part humint - that makes any essay of hers a thing unto itself. In addition there are the sparkles of her dry wit sprinkled through her work." - Dymphna, Gates of Vienna